Count Lions receivers Nate Burleson and Calvin Johnson among those who say they’re glad to have some time off.

“Maybe [it’s frustrating] to the guys in the front office, but to me, I’m taking it easy, back at home, just training, relaxing,” Johnson told the Detroit Free Press. “I enjoy being at home around the family. This is the only time it’ll probably be like this, so I’m going to enjoy my time off.”

Burleson had similar comments, noting that without minicamps and organized team activities, he has more time with his family.

“I got to be honest, it’s a little bit of a convenience for a guy like me,” Burleson said. “Three contracts in, being able to spend some time with my family, being back home this time of the year, it’s a good thing.”

The fans won’t agree with Burleson that it’s a good thing, but then again the fans aren’t the ones who have to sweat through the workouts. It’s not surprising that players are happy to have some time off work.

Seems like it makes sense for the players to say they don’t mind the lockout. If they appear to be bothered by it, they lose leverage in negotiations (if there ever are any). The fans may not like it but I don’t think it hurts them in the bargaining process.

From a fans perspective it sucks.. but EVERYONE who is in a good financial space would LOVE some free time off from work.. ESPECIALLY if that work involved collisions at 100 mph with your body as the target.

Who wouldn’t enjoy a break from the senseless NFL work schedule? The truth is, most NFL coaches are obsessed with work and coaching, it makes them feel important, it’s why they made it to the NFL, workaholics, so they pretty much schedule year-around workouts, camps, etc. These players have been playing football forever, they know how to play the game. Now management has made this year round ridiculousness a contract issue, so all these guys have to show up to these practices and workouts to make money.

So when guys like Burleson and Johnson who don’t have to go to workouts and practice say they enjoy not doing it, stupid fans get mad. If I had $3 million or $800,000 in the bank and was guaranteed work in a few months, who wouldn’t be excited about the time off during the summer?

Since football is entertainment and we like to be entertained fans get mad when the circus elephants appear to be taking it for granted…grow up folks.

calhounlambeau says:
May 23, 2011 2:25 PM
Who wouldn’t enjoy a break from the senseless NFL work schedule? The truth is, most NFL coaches are obsessed with work and coaching, it makes them feel important, it’s why they made it to the NFL, workaholics, so they pretty much schedule year-around workouts, camps, etc. These players have been playing football forever, they know how to play the game. Now management has made this year round ridiculousness a contract issue, so all these guys have to show up to these practices and workouts to make money.

So when guys like Burleson and Johnson who don’t have to go to workouts and practice say they enjoy not doing it, stupid fans get mad. If I had $3 million or $800,000 in the bank and was guaranteed work in a few months, who wouldn’t be excited about the time off during the summer?

Since football is entertainment and we like to be entertained fans get mad when the circus elephants appear to be taking it for granted…grow up folks.

So how do you think they got that 3 million in the bank? Answer-the people that are on this site that can complain as much as they damn want. We help pay they their salaries so we have the right to hope that they are doing everything they can to perform well on the field

Professionl athletes have much more time with their family then people who have any regular type job. Lot of people work long hours and travel all week for work. Few get 3 or 4 months off in between their “busy” times at work. Time to stop throwing the “family time” thing in the American workers face.

Why would you leave out what Burleson said right after that.
“But I have more concern for those free agents or young guys who haven’t got established yet and won’t have a true offseason. And there’s a lot of people working at stadiums and facilities that depend on this money. There’s a lot of people that I think about that are being affected and that’s what upsets me.”